Kerry defends anti-war stand

Sun-Herald ^ | August 25, 2004 | AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

PHILADELPHIA - Democrat John Kerry defended his Vietnam War record Tuesday night from accusations that he didn't deserve his medals and invited voters to judge his 1970s anti-war activism as an indication of the "kind of president I'm going to be."

Kerry, speaking at a fund-raiser that the campaign said raised $1.7 million for the Democratic Party, said criticism of his decorated service in Vietnam has "become so petty it's almost pathetic in a way."

Kerry defended his anti-war activism as "an act of conscience."

"You can judge my character, incidentally, by that," he said. "Because when the time for moral crisis existed in this country, I wasn't taking care of myself, I was taking care of public policy. You may not have agreed with me, but I stood up and was counted and that's the kind of president I'm going to be."

Kerry also struck back at people who criticize him for trying to glorify only four months of service in Vietnam.

"I was there longer than that, number one," he said. "Number two, I served two tours. Number three, they thought enough of my service to make me aide to an admiral."

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, introducing Kerry at the fund-raiser, said by watching the group's ads, "you'd think this was a 1962 or a 1976 presidential election."

"If you want this election to be decided on the Vietnam War, then I ask you one question: Who served this country better during the Vietnam War, John Kerry or George Bush?" Rendell said.

Bush served stateside in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam war, and did not see combat. Democrats have questioned whether he always showed up for duty.

During a speech earlier Tuesday at Cooper Union in New York, Kerry sought to turn the campaign debate to issues on which he thinks he can win - and away from questions about his Vietnam service. He also tried to paint Bush as the candidate who has been dishonest.

"My duty, as I understand it, is to be a president and commander in chief who finds the truth and tells the truth instead of misleading the American people," Kerry said to 850 invited supporters in the city where Republicans will nominate Bush for re-election next week. "My duty is to be a president who tells the truth instead of hiding behind front groups, saying anything and doing anything to avoid the real issues that matter like jobs, health care and the war in Iraq."

Kerry spoke a day after Bush criticized attack ads run by outside groups - known as 527s because of an IRS code provision - including the commercials being aired by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Kerry has said the veterans group is a front for the president's re-election campaign. The Bush campaign denies any coordination.

Kerry's campaign will go on the air in Nevada, New Mexico and Pennsylvania on Wednesday with a commercial responding to a new ad there by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

"The Bush campaign and its allies have turned to the tactics of fear and smear because they can't talk about jobs, health care, energy independence and rebuilding our alliances," Kerry said.

Bush spokesman Steve Schmidt said Kerry's attempt to declare himself a victim of negative ads is "stunning hypocrisy." He said, "His campaign has hid behind and benefited from $63 million in attack ads by shadowy 527 groups."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Comments on Iraq War In Error, Says Kerry Aide - Apologizes for Remarks***"To the extent that my own comments have contributed to misunderstanding on this issue. . . . I never should have said the phrase 'in all probability' because that's not Kerry's position and he's never said it," Rubin said in a statement. "That was my mistake."***

[NYCVirago]

Wasn't the speech billed ahead of time as one in which he would "answer the charges"? Well, at least until after his phone call to Brant.

That was my impression as well. He thinks he can stonewall like Clinton, and never answer any of the charges.

[TheLawyerFormerlyKnownAsAl]

"invited voters to judge his 1970s anti-war activism as an indication of the "kind of president I'm going to be."

OK

[dennisw]

Maybe Mr. Amanpour is suffering from botox® induced psychosis too?

[BigSkyFreeper]

...[Kerry] invited voters to judge his 1970s anti-war activism...

Then why all the defensiveness toward the SBV? Threatening them with lawsuits and calling for FEC investigations? Swallow the bitter pill Kerry, take judgement like a man.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

There he goes again - shooting himself in the butt.

[AmericaUnited]

What a dork. The title should be "Kerry puts more poop on the pile before stepping on it."

Yes John, remind everyone how you served two terms AND how you were actually a commissioned officer at the time you did the following: 1) met with the enemy in France, 2) gave aid and comfort to them, 3) lied about those you served with

[Reactionary]

"Democrat John Kerry defended his Vietnam War record Tuesday night from accusations that he didn't deserve his medals and invited voters to judge his 1970s anti-war activism as an indication of the "kind of president I'm going to be."

Oh, goody. I guess he'll be the kind of president that parrots brainless North Vietnamese propaganda.

[Chieftain]

Freeper N. Theknow says:
"It’s faster than a checkbook, more powerful than a Democratic demagogue, able to lay waste to a liar Kerry with the single click of a mouse. It's a little bird of truth, it's plain to see Kerry's unfit... it's... it's...SuperFReep!

Want to join in the fun?
Click the logo to donate to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth!

[Chieftain]

I just got this SWIFT BOAT VETERANS FOR TRUTH EXPOSE KERRY'S FRAUD sticker on my truck this afternoon.

Made by fellow FReeper disabled vet who has a bone to pick with Kerry, like we all do!
Large $20 (24" Wide 12" Tall) like mine
Small $10 (12" Wide 6" Tall)
Profits go to SwiftVets.com

FReep mail for details.

[palmer]

He thinks he can stonewall like Clinton, and never answer any of the charges.

He can and he will. The MSM is there to carry his water to "debunk" any charges against him and "discredit" his critics. Obviously he will lose the votes of anyone who realizes the truth, but that's a calculated loss. The critical swing voters want a cool tough guy who stands up against "unfair" attacks against him. So far he is playing that role pretty well.

[joesnuffy]

Judge him on his 'war record' no problem...

Release you files.....your files are your war record...you jerk.....

A person's 'record' is not what he or she says it is....its what the 'official record' says it is...

AND SO MR. KERRY

RELEASE YOUR RECORD SO FOLKS CAN JUDGE YOU ON YOUR RECORD......

Hint:...Your personally biased accounts are not 'your record' they are only 'your biased account'

If you went in for any job interview...even at Burger King....would a 'good manager' hire you on your own testimony or would he have to check your official record in order to validate your version of events...?.....

Well POTUS aint Burger King.....you ninny.....

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I'll say it again, his wiggle room has run out.

Kerry should have stayed out of the Vietnam bushes.

[GailA]

According to Unfit for Command his 'first' tour was about 5 weeks on the USS Gridley did guard duty for planes operating in the China Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin. June 1967 to Nov 1967 the Gridley operated along the California coast, Jan 2 2968, the Gridley sailed for Austrailia and then returned to Long Beach, Ca, on June 8th. In other words , the Gridley was in what could be considered a "fighting zone" ( still far off the coast of Vietnam) for probably fewer than FIVE weeks while kerry was aboard; five weeks off the coast of Vietnam could hardly be called da "tour in Vietnam" Pg 24

[GailA]

Number three, they thought enough of my service to make me aide to an admiral."

No where in Unfit for Command did I see this item. Have you in any of the FR research?

[BillyCrockett]

"You may not have agreed with me", said Mr sKerry.

We didn't then and we don't now.

[auboy]

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, introducing Kerry at the fund-raiser, said by watching the group's ads, "you'd think this was a 1962 or a 1976 presidential election."

Mr. Rendell, I don't remember a 1962 presidential election in the United States of American. Maybe you're thinking about France.

[goldstategop]

I think he meant 1964 and misspoke. John F*ckin' brings out the worst in people.

[No Surrender No Retreat]

This is Kerry's " Heart and Soul of America Crowd." Include Not-So-Fulbright, another commie supporter who gave klintoon his scholarship(Fulbright Scholarship.)Oh yea, and was instrumental in pulling strings at the draft board for slick. All the mugs in this photo would be appropriate on the back of a " bottle of iodine." The elitist on parade in America. Vote Bush/Cheney 2004

[The Great Yazoo]

"If you want this election to be decided on the Vietnam War, then I ask you one question: Who served this country better during the Vietnam War, John Kerry or George Bush?"

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is finding the answer to his question surprising. Based on what we now know, George Bush.

At least he did no harm, which is more than you can say about Kerry.

It is interesting now that Kerry is claiming to have been in Vietnam longer than four months, having done two "tours of duty," and having served on a missile cruiser.

The fact is Kerry's (apparent) war record is unbelievably heroic for such a short time in actual combat. That's "unbelievably."

If, as it now seems, Kerry exaggerated his record in Vietnam for future political position, that is his minor character flaw.

His scurrilous charges against U.S. service men and women generally (Kerry himself said "all the other veterans"), whether for for future political gain or not, on the other hand, in and of themselves, disqualify Kerry for higher office.